Honours & Awards

Harold A.D. Roberts Circle

Membership in the Harold A.D. Roberts Circle is awarded annually in recognition of substantial contributions or special service by members of the UCC Association, either through short- or long-term commitment. It recognizes those who go “above and beyond” the call of duty to significantly improve the UCC Association and the College.

Under consideration are such factors as the length and nature of the volunteer service of all nominees, including the diversity of roles undertaken and consistency in providing service. This honour complements the John D. Stevenson Award and expands the ability to recognize outstanding contributions to our community.

Fabio Savoldelli ‘80Award recipient - 2014

Savoldelli has been a UCC volunteer for more than 20 years. He’s been a member of the U.S. Foundation Board since 2001 and its chair since 2008. Savoldelli has been president of the UCC Association branch in New York for the past five years and helped rejuvenate the College’s presence there by founding it with a couple of other Old Boys in 1989. It’s now the Association’s strongest branch and engages the most Old Boys outside of Toronto. Savoldelli is known for his sense of humour and his continued commitment to UCC and strengthening the Old Boy network. He wasn’t able to attend, but was appropriately honoured at the April 10 New York branch reception.

Frances LeeAward recipient - 2014

The mother of Christopher ’12, Calvin ’15 and Charles ’16 has served in numerous volunteer positions at UCC, most notably as president of the PO last year and co-chair (with her husband Edward) of the 2012 fine wine auction, which was the College’s most successful to date. Both of these roles required an enormous amount of time, effort and commitment to the school, and Lee is consistently recognized for her professionalism, willingness to tackle anything that comes her way and ability to always get the job done.

Ann HastieAward recipient - 2014

The mother of Richard Hastie ’14 has been a UCC volunteer for 12 years and has held many roles in both the PPO and PO, including treasurer for both, grad memorabilia chair of the PPO and chair of facilities for the PO. She’s volunteered for the past three galas and was the treasurer of the 2012 fine wine auction. Hastie was nominated by four parents for this award and they all commented on her dedication to UCC and her willingness to take on any task asked of her.

Bob Medland ‘65Award recipient - 2013

The father of Andrew ’95 and John ’97 is a class president who has set a high standard for others in keeping his classmates connected to one another and the College. He’s served on various committees and chaired signature UCC events, including Association Day and Founder’s Dinner.

Sandy Mingay Award recipient - 2013

The mother of Andrew ’09 and Michael ’11 has been a volunteer since her boys were in the Prep and, though they’re now in university, she continues to serve UCC as vice-president of the Association Council. She’s a past president of the Parents’ Organization (PO) and served as a volunteer on the Blues Booster Club (BBC) board, with Horizons, admissions, the library, galas and in many other ways.

Piera Morra Award recipient - 2013

The mother of Marco ’08, Alexander ’11 and Nicholas ’13 has been a role model in serving as president of both the PO and the Prep Parents’ Organization (PPO). She has volunteered with many school events, including three galas, and is a member of the Association Council.

Linda Pincott-KitchenAward recipient - 2013

The mother of Andrew ’09 and Adam ’12’s volunteer work at UCC began more than 14 years ago and continues today even though her sons have both graduated. She’s served as chair of the PPO, on the PO executive committee, on the BBC board and on three gala committees. She’s also opened her home to many UCC events, including the PO’s annual faculty and staff appreciation tea for more than 12 years. She was one of the originators of UCC’s Spring Arts Festival (now known as Nuit Bleue) and a strong advocate of Winterfest’s return to the school.

Lincoln Caylor ‘87Award recipient - 2012

Lincoln Caylor played a formative role in the Barbara Barrow Foundation, increasing the amount of funding that each student receives and initiating the funding for and launch of a website and video to promote the legacy of Miss Barbara A. Barrow, school nurse from 1938 to 1980. Caylor has also served on the boarding and residential life long range planning sub-committee, the long range planning sub-committee, the boarding task force and the governance and nominating sub-committee of the board. He has supported the Common Ties mentoring program by being a mentor and an event host. Caylor joined the board of governors in 2012.

Hugh Innes ‘72Award recipient - 2012

As chair of the transfer funding review committee, Hugh Innes authored the “Convergence Report” designed to demonstrate the impact of the correlation between investment returns, the transfer rate and tuition fee increases. This report served to increase awareness among the governing bodies of the College and the UCC Foundation of the important relationship between the school's priorities and the growth of the foundation’s assets. He's a class president, has served on the class president task force of the Association Council, was a trustee of the UCC Foundation from 2000 to 2009 after becoming a member of the foundation’s investment committee in 1991, and has supported many other committees of the College and the foundation.

Michael and Hampton ‘95 Long (father/son)Award recipient - 2012

Michael and Hampton Long have hosted the New York branch reception for more than 15 years, and always go above and beyond to ensure an exceptional event for our alumni and parents in the New York area. The family is extremely supportive of boarding at UCC and has initiated two donor challenges targeted to donors in the United States. Michael has served as a trustee of the U.S. Foundation since 2001 and on the principal’s advisory committee since 2006. Hampton recently became a trustee of the U.S. Foundation, serves on the boarding campaign cabinet and served on the boarding recruitment advisory committee.

Elena SoniAward recipient - 2012

Among Elena Soni’s many contributions to the College through the parents’ organizations, she has made a substantial impact in two particular areas. While coordinating The Used Blues Shop (TUBS), she transformed the way the shop was organized by recruiting committed volunteers covering more shifts, running the back-to-school uniform sales, setting up a system to communicate to students and staff about found articles, and recycling unclaimed clothing to charities on a regular basis. Soni also co-initiated the inaugural meeting of interested arts faculty members and parents to discuss the development of what's now the Arts Booster Club (ABC). She chaired the ABC, recruiting parents to take on roles to support faculty and students’ curricular and co-curricular programming, and to enhance school-wide awareness of each area of the arts. She and her son Jorge co-wrote much of the initial ABC e-newsletters.

Peter Meltzer ’69Award recipient - 2011

Peter Meltzer is responsible for founding the New York City alumni branch and was the branch president for more than20 years. The New York branch events are among our most successful events and allow an opportunity for Old Boys, most of whom are living away from home, to gather and reunite with old friends.

Meltzer served as a trustee of the U.S. Foundation for more than 20 years and was chair for 15 years. His steadfast dedication to the College over so many years has been extraordinary.

Karin LawtonAward recipient - 2011

The parent of Henry Bloemen ’11 made a significant contribution to the school by recording the life of the College through her photographs. Lawton’s extraordinary photos have been published in the BBC e-newsletter, the ABC e-newsletter, in video montages and on the College’s website. They've captured the fun and spirit of athletic events and raised awareness of athletics and the arts at UCC.

Karin and her husband Peter-Paul Bloemen are founding members of the Blues Booster Club. She's been the source of innovative ideas for Association Day, Winterfest and May Day. She's one of the driving forces behind the Spirit of Athletics — Blues Awards. Lawton also designed and produced the now ubiquitous Blues fan scarf, the Blue Army flags that accompany the Blue Army wherever they go, the Go Blues banners that are proudly waved by the Blue Army at all major athletic events, and house banners. Her unflagging determination, hard work and commitment have left the school a better place.

Peter MacGowan '77Award recipient - 2011

Peter MacGowan is an Old Boy from the class of 1977 and the parent of Skyler ’11. In addition to his longtime contributions to the Association Council and work as a member of the board of governors, he's had a long and profound impact on the UCC rowing program. As a student, MacGowan was one of the early members of the rowing program at UCC (during a time when UCC rowing came to the fore as a world-class high school program) and, with several teammates, went on to compete for Canada in the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles.

When his son Skyler began to row, Peter reconnected with the program, and his contribution has been extraordinary. He's played an active role on the UCC rowing parents’ committee and was instrumental in designing and implementing the safety program for UCC rowing, which is a model for all other high schools and university level programs to emulate. MacGowan has coached UCC crews to several medals at the Canadian Secondary School Rowing Championships and serves as president of Hanlan Boat Club, the on-water home of UCC rowing since he and his UCC colleagues first built the facility in the 1970s.

As a UCC governor, MacGowan is a member of the long range planning sub-committee, the property sub-committee and chair of the governance and nominating sub-committee. He also served on the long range planning committee on Norval.

Susan GuichonAward recipient - 2010

The parent of Michael ’03, Ryan ’06 and David ’12 has been a volunteer on both the Prep Parents’ Organization and the Parents’ Organization for many years, serving in a variety of roles, including president of both organizations. She has volunteered her time for countless UCC events, including Festive Marketplace, Founder’s Dinner, Association Day, the 2004 Ice Blue Gala and the 2007 Blue Ties Gala. She’s been a library volunteer, a rowing volunteer, a member of the boarding task force and a green school advisory council member -– to name only a few of her commitments. Guichon has been a member of the Association Council since 2003, most recently serving as vice-president, where she's made a considerable effort to attend branch receptions all over North America and in London, England to meet Old Boys and tell them about what’s happening at UCC today. She's made a tremendous contribution to Upper Canada College.

Stu Lang '70Award recipient - 2010

Stu Lang served as the chair of the athletic review committee that was mandated to analyze the athletics program at UCC and make recommendations to the board of governors. He also sits on the finance and audit sub-committee and the principal’s advisory committee. Lang spent two years as a volunteer coach for varsity football and for those two years he travelled to UCC three hours a day, six days a week from his home in Guelph. That’s dedication.

Pam and Harry TaylorAward recipients - 2010

Parents of Ryan ’10 and Connor ’11. The Taylors co-founded and served as presidents of the Blues Booster Club (BBC). The Taylors played a key leadership role in increasing school spirit within the school and parent communities by increasing awareness of and involvement in the athletic programs in both the Prep and Upper Schools. They established the team parent program which has engaged more than 50 parents throughout the College. The BBC also supports Association Day, Winterfest and Spring Sports Day. Their enthusiasm and dedication to athletics in the school has been contagious. Pam also worked with the arts program to develop the Arts Booster Club. Pam and Harry’s energy and commitment have been a tremendous asset to the school.

Charles Wallis (Wally) King '54Award recipient – 2009

Wally King joined the board of governors of the College in 1974 and served for nine years. Particularly noteworthy among his many accomplishments while serving on the board was the implementation of a satisfactory retirement pension for many key employees, both academic and non-academic, that weren't pensioned under the Ontario Teachers’ Federation. Also included in King’s dedication to UCC was his service as a trustee for the UCC Foundation from 1968 to 1973. Apart from King’s publicly known contributions to the life and success of the College, there's a long series of “behind the scenes” actions which typify his dedication to the College. He was instrumental in ensuring that Colborne's Legacy, UCC 1829-1979 was published and planned the sesquicentennial program and reviews of the Battlion. King has always been an advocate for UCC's boarding program, particularly so during the boarding task force review.

David Walker '51Award recipient – 2009

In addition to being class president for decades, Walker led a tireless effort between 1999 and 2001 to raise money from classmates, alumni and friends of the College to establish and endow scholarships in honour of former masters Jay D. MacDonald and James L. Coulton. He raised more than $127,000 for the two scholarships by 2001. In reaching his goals of $50,000 for each scholarship, Walker was able to secure two $50,000 matching grants from the UCC Foundation and the two awards have been providing needs-based financial assistance to UCC students for several years. This established a high bar and remains, even after 10 years, among the very top class gifts in the history of UCC. While some classes might be successful through the support of one or two donors, Walker did it through persistent and effective contact with all of his classmates. David approached the College in 2008 and said he would like to help out UCC by getting on the phone with Old Boys and speaking to them about the College and soliciting their support of the annual fund. Walker made contact with hundreds of alumni through this effort. He's been a superb class volunteer over many decades.

Martha ShawAward recipient – 2009

Parent of Nick '09, Stephen '01, Kip '99 and David '98. Martha Shaw has been a member of both the Prep Parents' Organization and the Parents' Organization for many years, beginning in 1992 and serving in a variety of roles over the last two decades. She's volunteered her time for countless UCC events, including Festive Marketplace and Association Day, to name a few. She also played a significant role in each of the fundraising auction gala events, beginning with the 1994 auction. She chaired the 2007 Blue Ties Auction with her husband David, which required hundreds of hours of careful planning and execution and raised close to $1.5 million for the construction of the The William P. Wilder '40 Arena & Sports Complex. Shaw was also an instrumental member of the arena campaign fundraising cabinet. She's made substantial contributions both short and long term to Upper Canada College.

Andrew Galloway '87Award recipient – 2008

Andrew Galloway is a substance abuse and behavioural health counsellor at The Clinic on Dupont in Toronto. He's volunteered his time and knowledge at UCC by speaking to physical education classes at the Upper School and providing counsel through UCC’s Health Centre. Galloway spoke at assembly in 2007 and recounted his time at UCC and how alcohol and drugs slowly consumed his life into adulthood until he sought help to address his addiction. Galloway’s openness resulted in a number of students signing up for group work to discuss teen issues. Galloway’s story is a powerful one and his skilful way in communicating with teens has helped to benefit the UCC community.

Rhonnie RossiAward recipient – 2008

The parent of DJ '07 and wife of Rocco ’81 has been a tireless volunteer for UCC for more than a decade. Her involvement has ranged from organizing the Prep music instrument sale to the roles of vice-chair and chair of the Prep and Upper School parents’ organizations. She's chaired the Festive Marketplace and volunteered her time at the Shades of Blue, Ice Blue and Blue Ties gala auctions.

Hollis Brent ’72Award recipient – 2008

The parent of David '03 and Tyler '05 has been a longtime member and past chairman of the audit committee of the board of governors, a board member of the UCC Foundation and a member of the long-range planning committee. Brent was instrumental in establishing the correct outlines for the review of the College’s governance structure, which led to the formulation of the report on governance. He developed the finance model that dealt with the College’s legal cases. Over the years, Brent has brought vision, innovation and good judgment to financial and governance decisions of the audit committee and the foundation.

Andy Pringle ’69Award recipient – 2008

A sampling of Andy Pringle’s myriad commitments to UCC over the years includes: chairman of the board of governors from 2002 to 2007; president of the UCC Association in 1987 and 1988; chair of the committee that reviewed the IB program; chair of the long-range planning committee from 1991 to 2001; member of the foundation board; and a member of the principal’s advisory council. From co-chairing the first Association Day back in the early 1980s to chairing the boarding task force in 2007–08, the parent of Tony '02 and Geoff '04 has given generously of his time and knowledge.

William NgAward Recipient – 2008

Since 2002, when his son Ronald '08 entered UCC, William Ng has attended almost every single UCC event and documented it through photographs. Though not a “formal” volunteer role, William took it upon himself to make a historic account of Association Days, Founder’s Dinners, Spring Arts Festivals, school plays, music nights, and every grade event possible. Many people in the UCC community have been lucky to receive an envelope a few days after an event which included photos for their keeping. Ng has also given the College an album for each of the events he’s attended.

This honour is named for a member of the class of 1915, Harold A.D. Roberts, who was known as “Mr. UCC.” He had a record of service to UCC stretching over eight decades. He was on the board of governors for 18 years and was a member of numerous committees. As UCC ambassador-at-large, he helped to place some 2,000 alumni in jobs, a task he began during the Depression.